I am going to Paris April 13-20 with my 13-year-old daughter. I've already decided what I'm packing (next to nothing,mostly black) but I'm stumped re: outerwear. Did a historical weather search on wunderground and found that the last three years the temps were mostly in the 40's, with rain (although no accumulated precipitation, so I assume that means drizzly). I want to be comfortable and look good. Options: 1)green burberry raincoat, and maybe my chic black leather jacket for when it's not raining and warmer 2)lightweight red wool jacket, actually bought in Paris almost three years ago or 3) Quilted parka with fake fur trim. It's black (good) and fairly stylish(good) but still, a parka (maybe not so good). Please advise.

I almost always take a raincoat to Paris with me, even in summer. I take a simple black one that can be worn during the day or looks ok for evening over a dress or skirt. When it's colder, I wear a sweater or warmer clothes under it, and when it's not that rainy, I can wear the sweater without it. Your (1) sounds good to me. I really would not take a parka with fur trim for a sophisticated city, especially in April.<BR><BR>I broke my rule last July and didn't take a raincoat to Paris as a year or two I never wore it in July and wouldn't you know, it was freezing and rained most of the time. I almost bought a raincoat in Monoprix because I was miserable (my feet mostly), except it had a hood and thus would look bad most of the time except for very casual occasions. I guess you can tell I'm anti-hood. If your parka doesn't have a hood or the hood can be removed, that would be different, but usually people mean a hood when they use that term. The fur is too wintry for April IMO, also. I advised a guy once about jackets and told him not to take a ski parka to Paris as his only coat, even though some others in this conversation said anything goes nowadays, and he wrote back to thank me as he took two coats and said after 1-2 days he felt very foolish and conspicuous wearing that ski parka in Paris, so he switched to the other more regular one.

I'm there usually every April and have a black raincoat - looks good with everything - I'd skip that parka if I were you.

I second the "no parka" advice. Go with the raincoat; if you've got the room to pack the leather jacket, go for it. If not, then the raincoat will do for everything.<BR><BR>Like Lori, I have a black raincoat, shiny satin, that does everything, including acting as an evening coat. I never go to Paris without a raincoat.

I was in Paris the first week in April last year and it rained about half of the days. I brought a raincoat and was cold so I bought a fake pashmina scarf for $6. I have been complimented so many times on the scarf back here in the states. I vote for choice (1) bring a scarf and leather gloves to wear if its cold.

That does it. I must break down and buy a black raincoat. Also going to Italy in October, expect some rain then too. This seems to be a must-have. Thanks.

Hi andi<BR>Me too, black unlined microfiber raincoat. Crinkly material, can be rolled into a ball and fits easily in a suitcase. Roomy to allow for a sweater (or two!) underneath, black goes with all, some kind of shawl or scarf to dress it up if I like.<BR>And an umbrella. No parka for April imo, but yes! to gloves and an umbrella.<BR>I've needed all that stuff in Paris in May as well.

I think the raincoat should do the trick...ditch the leather and the parka, too much to take, if you need something else buy it there as a souvenir.